Women’s basketball team loses to Saint Mary’s 61-58

The Olivet College women's basketball team let a 10-point second-half lead slip away, as Saint Mary's (Ind.) College came from behind to beat the Comets, 61-58, today at The Cutler Event Center in Olivet.

The 31-22 score at halftime was Olivet's largest lead of the first 20 minutes of play. The Comets' 10-point lead, 38-28, came at the 16:35 mark after freshman Kati Stickney (Union City) drained a three-pointer from the right baseline. The Belles came back with a 15-0 run to take a 43-38 lead.

Olivet scored back-to-back baskets to make it a 1-point game, 43-42, but Saint Mary's answered with another 8-0 scoring spurt for a 51-42 lead, its largest of the game. The Comets would get no closer than one point for the rest of the game.

Junior Stephanie Spehar (South Lyon) was the only Olivet player in double figures, as she had 10 points. Senior Chanail Postley (Battle Creek/Lakeview) was next with nine points. Senior Gabrielle Federau (Okemos) and sophomore Olivia Yarrell (Lansing/Sexton) each had eight points and nine rebounds.

For the Belles, Maggie Ronan came off the bench to lead all scorers with 18 points. Anna Kammrath and Kelley Murphy scored 12 points apiece, while Kammrath had a game-high 14 rebounds.

The Comets will wrap-up a three-game homestand Tuesday, Jan. 19, when they play Trine (Ind.) University at 7:30 p.m.